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United States Patent | 5,546,942 |
Zhang | August 20, 1996 |
An apparatus and method are provided for the reduction of bone fractures. The apparatus includes an x-ray imaging system which compares the fractured bone with an unfractured bone, a robot controller which controls a robot hand so as to move the fractured bone in response to a command from a physician, and a safeguard system to detect abnormal tension in the limbs which can sound an alarm and cease robot motion if an error is detected. The method includes the comparison of x-ray images of unfractured and fractured bones and the movement of a robot hand grasping a fractured bone in a direction suitable for effective bone reduction.
Inventors: | Zhang; Zhongman (2190 Deer Creek Dr., Fayetteville, AR 72703) |
Appl. No.: | 258002 |
Filed: | June 10, 1994 |
Current U.S. Class: | 600/427; 606/57; 606/105; 700/262; 706/924 |
Intern'l Class: | A61B 006/03 |
Field of Search: | 128/653.1 606/53,201,97,105,57,54,86 378/62,21 364/413.13,413.14,413.01 602/32,36,39 395/97,924 |
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